CAP Fellow Life
About Me: I’m originally from south Florida but I’ve lived in many places including outside of the country in the Caribbean. My journey in medicine has been fueled by my Haitian heritage, which has instilled in me the values of work ethic, dedication, and resilience. I attended UF for my undergraduate studies (Go Gators!), Georgetown for graduate school, and UMHS for medical school. I continue to have a strong commitment to serving minority and underserved communities. In my spare time I enjoy working out, spending time with family, traveling, and experiencing other cultures.
Why I Chose UT CAP Fellowship: I chose UT for CAP fellowship because it is a well-rounded program with diverse rotations. I was looking for a program that would allow me to gain experience with unique populations and all psychopathologies so I could be well-equipped to work in any setting. During my interview I was drawn to UT because the leadership seemed very supportive and authentic and as a fellow that has proven to be true. This program has wonderful faculty and staff that pour into you and provides great mentorship.
Why I Love Houston: Houston is an awesome city that I am enjoying. It really is a melting pot and the most racially and ethnically diverse place I have lived. You can easily immerse yourself in different cultures and find unique food and various experiences. There is a generous amount of entertainment here that helps me relax and relieve stress including concerts, sports games, restaurants, and shopping centers. In addition, Houston has an affordable cost of living and many beautiful suburbs that can offer a nice quality of life and safe space for raising a family.
My Plans Moving Forward: Following fellowship, I plan to stay here in Houston and likely work in an outpatient setting. I plan to see children and adults but specifically women as I have a profound interest in perinatal and reproductive psychiatry as well.
About me: Greetings! I am Pooja Chaudhary, one of the resident-moms, and a first year fellow in the CAP fellowship program. I grew up in India, where I completed my medical school, an internship with UNICEF and a residency in Preventive Medicine, with a focus on child and adolescent mental health. My passion for mental health promotion, cognitive, and behavioral sciences led me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and a fellowship focused on leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities (LEND) at UTHealth. I am currently enrolled in psychotherapy and child fast track at my program. When I’m not at the hospital or with my kids, you will find me working with clay on a potter’s wheel, sculpting, painting or exploring Houston’s culinary scene.
Why I chose UT: I chose UTHealth for its strong academic reputation, cutting-edge psychiatric research, mentorship and collaboration opportunities, and its people. And my decision proved to be right. During my intern year, while living away from my husband and children for almost 10 months, I found a warm and supportive culture in my program. Despite the challenges of being separated from my family, I was able to feel at home!
Why I love Houston: My family and I share a special bond with Houston, and we are thrilled to spend the next chapter of our lives in this beautiful city. Houston is renowned for its largest medical center, affordable housing options, extensive culinary scene, warm hospitality, and a vibrant culture. Its well-rounded enriching environment make you fall in love with this city in a heartbeat. As a parent, Greater Houston area’s strong school education system made it our first choice.
My plans moving forward: There is nothing more blissful than finding your tribe, and I have found mine here at UTHealth. I am beyond thrilled to embark on this journey of service, self-discovery and human experience. Moving forward, I intend to combine research, and clinical patient care at an academic center.
Here’s to the pursuit of mental wellness and my exciting journey as a psychiatry resident!
About Me: Hi There, my name is Margaret Garrett! I am a native Texan and a longtime Houstonian. I grew up in a big family full of rambunctious siblings, unconventional pets, near-constant chaos, and unconditional love. I moved 90 miles away to attend Texas A&M University (whoop!) for my undergraduate studies in genetics before returning to Houston for medical school and residency at UT Health. I was part of the combined track, so I entered the CAP fellowship after my third year of residency. My big family has since grown – with four weddings and three babies last year (including my own!) – and the chaos continues to keep me busy, but that’s just how I like it!
Why I chose UT: For personal reasons, I chose UT because I felt comfortable with the people here and envisioned myself easily settling into the supportive culture of the program.
For more academic reasons, I knew UT would offer a robust training experience in the nation’s largest medical center that would prepare me for any future career path.
Why I love Houston: I love the diversity of people, cultures, and (most of all) food! I also love going to sporting events, including Astros, Texans, and Rockets games. There is never a shortage of things to do or places to explore. If you feel like getting out of the hustle and bustle of city life, you are just a short drive from a beach (south) or a lake (north). I have lived in Houston for most of my life and continue to find new things to see and do every month!
My plans moving forward: I would like to stay in the Houston and work with children, teens and young adults. I am interested in everything from OCD to PTSD and look forward to finding my niche in the world of child psychiatry.
About me: Hi there! My name is Madeline Bruman. I am a current second year child and adolescent psychiatry fellow and co-chief at UTHealth Houston. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I completed my undergraduate training at Texas A&M, medical school training at the American University of the Caribbean, and residency training in South Florida at Memorial Healthcare System. I am drawn to the dynamic nature of the pediatric population in psychiatry. Each patient is unique with varying developmental stages and diverse family structures. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact during a critical phase of development to drive lifelong change, fuels my passion to work with children and families collaboratively. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family, and our dog Lilee. I love any activity by the water, playing tennis, meeting new people, Mexican food, and traveling to new places.
Why I chose UTHealth Houston: During my fellowship interviews, I felt that UTHealth Houston leadership had a sincere passion for teaching fellows and ensuring future success. Speaking to current fellows, I could see the culture of the program being collaborative, friendly, and that the fellows enjoyed working with each other and faculty. Not to mention, being in the largest medical center in the country, various training sites, elective opportunities, and the different populations of patients speak for itself to incredible training!
Why I love Houston: I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Living in other states and countries, I now have a greater appreciation for all Houston has to offer! Number 1-the people in Houston are kind and welcoming, easy going, with a huge pride for sports in the community-which is a blast for going to baseball, football, and basketball games. A close number 2- the food. Tex-Mex is phenomenal, and difficult to find anywhere else in the country! (trust me I have tried unsuccessfully!) Besides Tex-Mex, almost every cuisine is offered in Houston, the restaurants are endless! Number 3- events, whether is sporting events, museums, the rodeo, parades, concerts, you name it and you will find something fun going on in Houston. The list can go on and on (low cost of living, airports for easy travel), but those are my top few!
My plans moving forward: I would like to pursue an outpatient practice as continuity of care is one of many aspects I enjoy about psychiatry.
